Electroplating apparatus.



PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

' G. T. PRATT.

ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS,

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 3, 1903.

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@MTED STATES Patented May 23, 1905 PATENT @FFIGE.

CHARLES T. PRATT, OF FRANKFORT, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO PRATT CHUCKCOMPANY, OF FRANKFORT, NEWV YORK.

ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,747, dated May 23,1905.

Application filed October 3,1903- Serial No. 175,613.

To all whom it rncty concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLEs T. PRATT, of

Frankfort, in the county of Herkimer and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectroplatingApparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figuresof reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

The object of my present invention is to provide an apparatus foreffectively and expeditiously electroplating the inside of ferrules,rings, bands, slip-nipples, and like constructions.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a transverse section of a bath-tan kwith my improvements in apparatus applied. A portion of the constructionis shown in broken sections. Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal section ofthe bath-tank and apparatus, taken on a line with A B, showing the partsto the left of the line. Fig. 3 is another partial longitudinal sectionof the bath-tank and apparatus, taken on line C D of Fig. 1 and showingthe parts to the right of the section-line. Fig. 4 is a partial planview of the bath-tank and apparatus, showing a set of slip-nipples inposition for electroplating therein. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailsection showing the arrangement and construction of parts and showing aslip-nipple in position for electroplating. Fig. 6 is a similar enlargeddetail showing the opposite ends of the anode and cathode with a slipbyvertical pieces-5 and 6, which maybe secured to the inner walls of thetank. The pieces 5 and 6 are each provided with slotted notches orrecesses a (0, extending from the top downwardly, so that the lower endis located but a short distance from the bottom of the V-shaped troughor holder 4. The recesses a a are adapted to receive the ends of theanode-bar 7 At the side of the positive conductor 2 the bottom of therecess a is formed by a metal conducting-piece 11, which extendsupwardly to and makes electrical connection with the conductor 2. Alongthe inner walls of the troughs or holder 4 extend one or more metalconducting-strips, as 9 9, which constitute the cathode of theapparatus. The strips 9 9 are connected at one end by a cross-wire 10and are connected to the negative conductor 3 by a conductor 8.

In operation the slip-nipples or other ring devices to be electroplatedon the inner surface are strung on the anode-bar 7 when the same isremoved from the bath. The anodebar 7 is preferably of zinc. When it hasbeen substantially filled with a quantity of these devices, it isdropped into position, with the ends in the notches a a beforementioned. When the ends of the bars strike the lower ends of thenotches a a, the bar is supported parallel with the anodes 9 9. Theouter surface of the slip-nipples (which are indicated by A) rest on thecathode, and the arrangement is such that the anode will occupy asubstantially central or axial position with reference to the slipnipples or devices A. When electric current is supplied to the apparatusthrough the conductors 2 3, the anode is dissolved and a deposit is madeon the inner surface of the nipples or other device A. When the deposithas become sufficient, the lot is removed and a new lot substituted.

The operation of placing the articles to be operated upon onto theanode-bar and the same into the solution and removing them can becarried on without shutting off the electric current, as the current isof large quantity and low tension. By placing the anode and the holder 4on an incline, as shown, the gases which generate will escape out of thehigher end, passing through the row of nipples as though it were a pipe.It is preferable to have the anodes substantially completely coveredwith the lot of nipples.

A particular advantage that I claim for this apparatus is that atendency to dissolve the anode-bar and deposit it on the cathode-bar isto the fullest extent obviated, and great facility for placing thearticles to be operated upon into electroplating position and removingthe same is provided. By providing the trough-like holder L with anindependent support at each end the cathode can be conveniently removedfrom the bath for cleaning or other purposes without displacing otherswhich it is not desired to remove.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electroplating apparatus of the character described, a bath, arecumbent removable anode-bar, a parallel cathode-carrier for supportingthe work in position to surround the anode, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electroplating apparatus, a bathtank, a series of recumbentanode-bars, parallel cathode-bars, a removable frame carrying thecathode-bar and the supports for the 1 anode-bar at each end combined,substantially as set forth.

3. The combination in an electroplating apparatus adapted for use onslip-nipples as specified, of a bath-tank, a series of removranged tosupport the same in axial position to a line of-slip-nipples supportedon the oathode-bars combined, substantially as set forth.

5. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a bath tank havingrecumbent cathode work-supporting bars mounted therein, removableanode-bars and supports for the anode-bars arranged adjacent to each.end of a the cathoderbars, so as to support the anode- CHARLES T.PRATT.

Witnesses:

F. B. WATSON, WM. RUTHERFORD.

